Artist Statement: The Performance of Self
I believe that self is a performance and that notions of self are developed in direct relationship to the images and information provided to us via the media, religion & our respective peer groups and families.
Conceptual and representational portrait photography sits at the center of my practice, but painting, performance, video, the spoken/written word, and installation are additional outputs.
My work often explores the relationship between societal discourse, pop-culture, subculture, and the individual. With influences as diverse as advertising, ministry and social media, new insights are manufactured from both orderly and random dialogues.
I am interested in exploring & examining the power of fine art, marketing and technology to inform the development & performance of self.
Biography
"I make art.
I make love.
I make myself."
- Ricky Day
I was born in Saint Louis, Missouri & raised in Los Angeles, California. I am a visual artist, photographer, filmmaker and musician working primarily with themes related to identity, sub-culture and popular culture. I live & work in Harlem, New York.
My fine art practice includes painting, collage, photography, video & recorded music. While my commercial photography business includes fashion editorials, portraiture and events.
As a visual artist I have exhibited in multiple group shows in NYC & beyond. My exhibitions include the group exhibitions: The Subject is Black at Leslie Lohman Project Space in New York City (Fall 2014); Curate NYC at Rush Arts Gallery in New York City (October 2010); The Great LGBT Photo Show at Leslie Lohman Museum in New York City (June 16 – July 10, 2010); Latent: An En Foco Photo Exhibition at Umbrella Arts in New York City (April 3 – 27, 2010); White Lies: Black Noise at Rush Arts Gallery November 14, 2009 – January 24, 2009.
Solo exhibitions include: Brother Outsider Won't You Come Inside at GMAD in Brooklyn, New York (Fall 2014); A Portrait of The Life (August 2012) at Billie's Black; This is Urban Pop at Chi Chiz in New York City, (August 2010 – September 2010); Introducing Ricky Day at Bus Boys and Poets in Washington DC (Jan/February 2008).
My photography has appeared in numerous magazines, blogs and websites including Candid Magazine, Ammo Mag, Sheen, Bleu Magazine, New York Post, AM New York & UrbanPopLife.net to name a few. MY clients past and present include: Google, YouTube, Native Son, Ford Models NY, Click Models, Boss Models NY, Major Models, U Model Management, Signature Talent Agency, Interscope Records, First Corinthian Baptist Church, Walrond for Congress campaign, MBK Entertainment, public relations powerhouse PMK-BNC, Nivea, Eucerin, Aquaphor, Biersdorf Inc., Bevy Smith's "Dining With Bevy, Life With Vision", Chef Roble, True Indian Hair, accessories line Ank Man, Blur Communications, The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries and many others.